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COVID-19 update from Monday, Aug. 2, 2021
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- Published: Monday, 02 August 2021 16:22
Since Friday, July 30, 2021 there have been 451 new cases of COVID-19 in Ventura County. There have been 8,668 new tests performed.
BREAKING: Former Ojai Police Chief James Fryhoff announces run for Ventura County sheriff
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- Published: Monday, 02 August 2021 11:27
Ojai Valley News photo by Perry Van Houten
James Fryhoff announces run for Ventura County sheriff at a press conference held Monday morning at the Ventura County Deputy Sheriff's Association office in Ventura.
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter
Former Ojai Police Chief James Fryhoff has announced he’s running for Ventura County sheriff.
Ojai Planning Commission to meet Wednesday, Aug. 4, in preparation for joint meeting with City Council
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- Published: Monday, 02 August 2021 10:59
The Ojai Valley Planning Commission will hold a meeting Wednesday, Aug. 4 at 6 p.m. to discuss proposed topics of discussion for the upcoming Joint Meeting with City Council on Aug. 24.
Formula businesses, ATP on Ojai council special-meeting agenda Tuesday
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- Published: Monday, 02 August 2021 10:38
The City Council will be holding a Special Meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021 at 6 p.m. to discuss the extension of the Urgency Ordinance placing a moratorium on new Formula Businesses with five (5) or more locations and the ongoing Active Transportation Program (ATP) improvements along Maricopa Highway and Ojai Avenue.
First day of OUSD schools Aug. 18
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- Published: Sunday, 01 August 2021 09:07
For information on enrolling a child in Ojai Unified School District schools, visit:
https://www.ojaiusd.org/page/enrollment
To view the 2021-22 OUSD school calendar, visit:
https://www.ojaiusd.org/article/498698
Ventura City Council to vote today, Aug. 2, on spending another nearly $1M to sue thousands of Ojai Valley residents
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- Published: Saturday, 31 July 2021 11:27
Ventura City Council will vote Monday, Aug. 2, on spending another $900,000 on the Best Best & Krieger law firm to sue thousands of Ojai Valley and Ventura residents, businesses and agencies to take control of their water, claiming it has "pueblo rights" to it, among others.
The Ventura City Council’s Sept. 9, 2019 unanimous vote to sue thousands of Ojai Valley and Ventura residents was taken in secret and was only revealed months later after the Ojai Valley News made a formal complaint with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.
On Feb. 18, 2020, responding to a Public Records Act request from the Ojai Valley News, Ventura city attorneys reported that, up to that date, the city had paid:
• Attorneys' fees: $2,184,723
• Expert fees: 1,968,448.99
• Other costs, such as website and serving legal notices to property owners overlying groundwater basins and those close to the Ventura River: $173,389.24
• Channelkeeper attorneys' fees: $850,000
for a TOTAL then of $5,176,561.23.
Since then, including the Aug. 2 request for another $900,000 on the lawsuit, spending has increased to a grand total of $7,176,561.23.
That same amount is roughly the equivalent of an additional 30 Ventura city firefighters.
On May 18, 2020, Ventura City Council voted to pay Mustang Marketing with regard to the lawsuit, $50,000, with a total of $100,000, "not to be exceeded through Feb. 28, 2025."
It also voted for another $150,000 for attorneys' fees, "not to exceed $4,558,000 through June 2022,"
for a TOTAL then of $200,000.
On Aug. 3, 2020, Ventura City Council voted to pay another $900,000 to the attorneys and $50,000 more to Mustang Marketing, with a note from Ventura City Attorney Diaz: "“Even though the city is not actively litigating the case, additional funds are needed to negotiate a solution with the other parties and present it to the county for approval”;
for a TOTAL then of $950,000.
On Dec. 7, 2020, Ventura City Council voted for another $900,000 to the attorneys,
for a TOTAL of $900,0000.
Now, on Aug. 2, 2021, Ventura City Council is being asked to approve another $900,000 to the attorneys,
for a TOTAL of $900,000.
BREAKING: Man hurt in fire at Ojai Avenue and Montgomery Street Friday evening
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- Published: Friday, 30 July 2021 23:34
Photo by Reily Brown
A person is silhouetted against a fiery scene at Ojai Avenue and Montgomery Street in Ojai Friday evening about 10:50.
A man was taken by ambulance to an area hospital after being injured in a fire Friday, reported at Montgomery Street and Ojai Avenue, near the south side of the Ojai Art Center at about 10:50 p.m.
This article will be updated.
Read more: BREAKING: Man hurt in fire at Ojai Avenue and Montgomery Street Friday evening
Eye on the Environment: 4-H'ers play with worms, toilet paper and more at virtual camp
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- Published: Friday, 30 July 2021 12:58
Photos submitted
4-H campers learn about making worm bins at summer camp.
By David Goldstein, Special to the Ojai Valley News
Anyone who has been to the Ventura County Fair knows the 4-H program helps many local youths learn how to raise farm animals. Each year, it is big news when kids associated with 4-H sell prize-winning cows, goats, sheep, chickens, or rabbits they worked hard to raise, learning important life skills. However, the farm and livestock projects are just one facet of an organization offering youth many opportunities, including education about sustainability.
Read more: Eye on the Environment: 4-H'ers play with worms, toilet paper and more at virtual camp
Happy 100th birthday, Ojai
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- Published: Friday, 30 July 2021 12:16
Right photo by Ojai Valley News Perry Van Houten. Left photo courtesy of Ojai Valley News.
The Ojai Post Office, in 1921 and in 2021.
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter
Ojai is commemorating the city’s centennial with a community birthday party at Sarzotti Park on Thursday, Aug. 5. The free event hosted by the city of Ojai runs from 4 to 7:30 p.m. and features live entertainment, speeches, performances, food, informational booths and more.
Ojai Renaissance man Phil Harvey to be remembered at celebration
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- Published: Friday, 30 July 2021 12:00
Photo by Stephen Adams
Phil Harvey sings "The Ojai Song" at an Ojai Summer Band concert in Libbey Park, under the direction of Laura Denne.
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter
Friends and family will remember the life of a true Ojai Renaissance man at a public event Saturday, Aug. 7.
Phil Harvey, a singer and actor who entertained generations, passed away Jan. 5 in Ojai at the age of 99.
Judge forces Ventura city to show its cards first in water lawsuit
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- Published: Friday, 30 July 2021 11:15
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter
The judge in the Ventura River Watershed Adjudication lawsuit has told the city of Ventura it will need “to put its cards on the table” first regarding expert pre-trial testimony in the case.
Project underway to digitize 130 years of OVN
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- Published: Friday, 30 July 2021 11:09
Ojai Valley News photo by Brady Ward
A selection of shelves featuring Ojai Valley News archives located at the Ventura library that need scanning and uploading.
Grant Phillips, Ojai Valley News reporter
Curious about what was happening in the Ojai Valley 10 years, 50, or even 100 years ago? The Ojai Valley News is on a mission to help you find out.
Attempted murder charge dropped for Oak View man suspected of shooting at Ventura copter
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- Published: Friday, 30 July 2021 11:02
Ojai Valley News photo by Perry Van Houten
Ventura County Copter 4 was shot at, but not hit by gunfire, during a training mission over Lake Casitas on July 21.
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter
An Ojai Valley man arrested last week on suspicion of shooting at a helicopter with the Ventura County Air Unit appeared in court July 26.
Ventura County Fire Department Assistant Chief John McNeil retires
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- Published: Friday, 30 July 2021 10:57
Photo submitted
Retired Ventura County Assistant Fire Chief John McNeil with Copter 4, one of two new Firehawk helicopters.
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter
Ojai resident and Ventura County Fire Department Assistant Chief John McNeil has retired after more than three decades of service with the department.
Casitas considers 2 State Water Projects, totaling $45.5 million
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- Published: Friday, 30 July 2021 10:53
Map courtesy CMWD
Map showing the location of a proposed pipeline that would reduce the city of Ventura's demand on water from Lake Casitas.
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter
Casitas Municipal Water District held a public workshop July 27 on two proposed projects to bring in State Water Project water to western Ventura County.